Guide
Free plan or free trial? How to read a software pricing page
The words on a pricing page hide most of the real cost. Here is what to look for before you compare two tools.
Two tools can both say “free” and “from $10 a month” and still cost very different amounts in practice. Before you compare prices, check these five things.
Free plan vs free trial
A free plan lasts as long as you stay within its limits. A free trial ends, usually after 14 or 30 days, and may ask for a card up front. They are not the same thing, and comparison tables often blur them.
What the price is counted in
Per user, per contact, per channel or per project: the unit decides how fast your bill grows. A low per-user price is expensive for a big team; a per-contact price is expensive for a big list.
Monthly vs annual billing
The headline price is often the annual rate shown per month. Paying monthly usually costs more.
What is held back for higher plans
Look for the features you actually need, such as automation, removing the vendor’s branding or extra users, and note which plan they start on. That plan is your real starting price.
Introductory discounts
A first-year discount is fine, as long as you know the price it reverts to.